FREEPORT - Long Islanders hit hard by Superstorm Sandy could have been better prepared for the damage had decades-old storm readiness warnings been heeded more carefully.

The state Legislature created a commission to prepare for a major storm event back in 1978. The commission warned of the potential for towering storm surges, flooded subways, damage to sewage treatment plants and the need for gas stations to have generators.

According to the Associated Press, many of the panel's recommendations were ignored altogether. But some of the warnings have an eerie ring to them three decades later, in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

Emergency management experts say the problem with preparing for major disasters is mostly monetary: it's easy to make recommendations, but following up with resources can be more challenging.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently appointed former state Homeland Security Advisor Michael Balboni to a new panel on state readiness. The panel is working on a new list of storm recommendations for the governor.